TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The San Diego Padres have signed 18-year-old Taiwanese pitcher Su Lan-hong (蘇嵐鴻), marking the team’s first Taiwanese recruit in nine years.

Padres General Manager A.J. Preller and Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish welcomed Su at the team’s home stadium, Petco Park. Su reportedly received offers from at least three Major League Baseball teams, ultimately selecting the Padres, according to UDN.

Su represented Taiwan at the U18 Baseball World Cup in Japan, where he impressed as a relief pitcher. Padres scouts highlighted his pitching talent and strong character, expressing confidence that he will be both a promising player and a positive teammate, according to CNA.

Su said he chose the Padres because of the team’s history, training environment, and player development system, and he felt valued throughout the recruitment process.

Founded in 1969, the Padres have experienced periods of both struggle and success. The franchise rose to prominence in the 1980s, reaching the playoffs for several consecutive years and twice appearing in the World Series, which helped establish a solid foundation, according to 168.

Su's signing bonus is estimated between US$750,000 (NT$23 million) and US$800,000. This makes him the fourth Taiwanese player to join the Padres, following Sung Wen-hua (宋文華), Kuo Hong-chih (郭泓志), and Hu Chih-wei (胡智爲).